The Curse of Discontentment
08/11/09 01:36
One of the easiest weapons the devil uses against
mankind is discontentment. If he can deceive us into
thinking that we need more, deserve more and want
more than what we already possess, then the battle is
over halfway won. You can see this little deception
at work in the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve had
everything, and I mean everything! They didn’t
need to worry about food and clothing. God told them
they were free to eat from any tree and seed-bearing
plant and they didn’t have to worry about
clothes because… dah?! Their home was Eden for
goodness sake, so they didn’t have to worry
about shelter. And to top it all off, they walked
with God in the cool of the day. What more could a
person want? But some how the devil convinced Eve
that she needed more than what God had given her and
then… well, you know what happened next.
Discontentment lies hidden within the legitimate parameters of self-ambition. Surely, God doesn’t want us to be lazy and have a ‘come-what-may’ attitude toward life. If that was the case then nothing would be accomplished. Children would go hungry, disease would run rampant and roofs would leak. No, we have to work and we have to work to better ourselves and our conditions while we trek this path of life from womb to grave. “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.” Prov.6:6-11 Even though we have to labor by the sweat of our brow, and that work can be very hard at times, God blesses the man who is contented with what he has. “What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men… I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil –this is the gift of God.”Eccl.3:9-12
Discontentment rears its ugly head when all achievement springs from envy, Eccl.4:4—6 and we forget that one handful with tranquility is better than two handfuls with toil. But I think I know why people are discontented at heart –because they don’t have God. God has set eternity in the heart of man and man will always find himself dissatisfied with life without Him. O, I am sure that there are those who may say that they do not need God in their lives to find contentment. But when I look at all those who have acquired wealth, power and fame in their lives only to say things like, “Even though I have everything, it’s not enough.” I realize the truth that God is the only way for true contentment and peace. Solomon said it would be better to have just a dry crust of bread with peace and quiet, than a house of feasting with strife. When God is present in my life, I am at peace with all things. But when my heart says that I have been going away from that divine fellowship and pressing on toward earthly things, then discontentment begins to show its face. Then, I usually cause trouble with my love ones and such. You know, they never measure up enough to bring the happiness in my life, which I so richly deserve. Then I begin to find fault with everyone in and around my life. If I get blessed –it should have been more. If I get to go out to eat –it should have been at a better restaurant. If I get some time to myself –it could have been better if only… Do you see the pattern here? This is why I have always said, “You’ll never be happy, if happiness is all that you’re looking for.” If you can understand that it is better to have a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil, then you will know what Paul meant when he said, I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything though him who gives me strength.” Phil.4:12,13
Have a great week! Pastor Jim
Discontentment lies hidden within the legitimate parameters of self-ambition. Surely, God doesn’t want us to be lazy and have a ‘come-what-may’ attitude toward life. If that was the case then nothing would be accomplished. Children would go hungry, disease would run rampant and roofs would leak. No, we have to work and we have to work to better ourselves and our conditions while we trek this path of life from womb to grave. “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.” Prov.6:6-11 Even though we have to labor by the sweat of our brow, and that work can be very hard at times, God blesses the man who is contented with what he has. “What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men… I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil –this is the gift of God.”Eccl.3:9-12
Discontentment rears its ugly head when all achievement springs from envy, Eccl.4:4—6 and we forget that one handful with tranquility is better than two handfuls with toil. But I think I know why people are discontented at heart –because they don’t have God. God has set eternity in the heart of man and man will always find himself dissatisfied with life without Him. O, I am sure that there are those who may say that they do not need God in their lives to find contentment. But when I look at all those who have acquired wealth, power and fame in their lives only to say things like, “Even though I have everything, it’s not enough.” I realize the truth that God is the only way for true contentment and peace. Solomon said it would be better to have just a dry crust of bread with peace and quiet, than a house of feasting with strife. When God is present in my life, I am at peace with all things. But when my heart says that I have been going away from that divine fellowship and pressing on toward earthly things, then discontentment begins to show its face. Then, I usually cause trouble with my love ones and such. You know, they never measure up enough to bring the happiness in my life, which I so richly deserve. Then I begin to find fault with everyone in and around my life. If I get blessed –it should have been more. If I get to go out to eat –it should have been at a better restaurant. If I get some time to myself –it could have been better if only… Do you see the pattern here? This is why I have always said, “You’ll never be happy, if happiness is all that you’re looking for.” If you can understand that it is better to have a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil, then you will know what Paul meant when he said, I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything though him who gives me strength.” Phil.4:12,13
Have a great week! Pastor Jim
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